In a typical chemical reaction, 10-10 of the mass ofthereactants is transformed into energy. That is, if1010kg of coal and oxygen are burned, the mass of theresulting gases,ash, etc. will be (1010 - 1) kg and theenergy producedwill be (1 kg)c2. For a typical nuclearfissionreaction, about 10-3 of the mass is transformedintoenergy. Consider a large electrical power plant thatproduces108 Watts of electrical power. Assume itsefficiency forconverting heat into electricity is 40%.
a) How much mass is transformed into (heat) energy when the plantisoperated for one day?
b) If the plant is powered by a chemical reaction (e.g.burningcoal, oil or gas), what mass of reactants (fuel + oxygen) isneededin order to operate the plant for one day?
c) If the plant is powered by nuclear fission, what mass ofreactant(fissionable material) is needed in order to operate theplant forone day?
In a typical chemical reaction, 10-10 of the mass ofthereactants is transformed into energy. That is, if1010kg of coal and oxygen are burned, the mass of theresulting gases,ash, etc. will be (1010 - 1) kg and theenergy producedwill be (1 kg)c2. For a typical nuclearfissionreaction, about 10-3 of the mass is transformedintoenergy. Consider a large electrical power plant thatproduces108 Watts of electrical power. Assume itsefficiency forconverting heat into electricity is 40%.
a) How much mass is transformed into (heat) energy when the plantisoperated for one day?
b) If the plant is powered by a chemical reaction (e.g.burningcoal, oil or gas), what mass of reactants (fuel + oxygen) isneededin order to operate the plant for one day?
c) If the plant is powered by nuclear fission, what mass ofreactant(fissionable material) is needed in order to operate theplant forone day?
